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"id": 784560,
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"speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) S.W. Chege",
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"speaker": {
"id": 884,
"legal_name": "Sabina Wanjiru Chege",
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"content": "Githae, to go on compulsory leave - but they were not suspended - so that they can allow for investigations to be done. I would like the Members to go through this Report because we have done thorough investigations, recommendations and observations. Systematic challenges were reported during the whole process. When we looked at their Standard Operations Procedures (SPOs), they did not have labeling as part of their processes. Between you and me and the Members of this House, we know that when you walk in any hospital for admission, you are always given a label. It can be tied around the wrist or somewhere else. But, at KNH, that does not happen. The nurses told us that they have been struggling. You can find one nurse allocated a maximum of 30 patients while, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, it should be one nurse to five or six patients. The nurses at KNH also disclosed to us that they are also the clerks who do the billing. When they report in the afternoon, they have to bill the patient and, at the same time, they are the ones giving medication. They also told us that majority of the patients at KNH do not have uniforms. In the same night when there was a surgery mix-up, there was also a patient who ran away. He was supposed to have gone home, and had not paid the Bill. But because he was not wearing any uniform, when the visitors came in, he just sneaked out and left. The nurses also confirmed to us that it is hard to change linen because sometimes it is not available. Also, the channels of communication between them and the management are very minimal. They were a bit scared and did not disclose a lot because they did not want to be victimised. However, they gave the Committee a lot of information. Another problem plaguing the hospital is the failed referral system. The lower tier hospitals managed by counties are unable to provide services to the citizens leading to surging patient numbers at KNH for their ailments to be treated. That means KNH has become over- stretched. The Committee recommends that KNH demands adequate referral notes from all patients. Further, the Committee urges the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the county governments, to find means of urgently improving health services at their level. This is the only means through which universal health care will be attained, among other strategies. The Committee examined the final allocation to the hospital and found a general trend of shortfalls in the last four years. Allocations have grown partly from 55.4 per cent in complete variance with the growth in patient’s number at KNH. Even as the Committee is alive to the fiscal challenges faced by the country, we urge the National Treasury to prioritise such key areas as health and improve funding to the hospital. We want to remind the National Treasury that the country is committed to the Abuja Declaration of 2001, which requires that, at least, 15 per cent of the national budgets be set aside for health care. At the same time, it is of importance to know that currently, KNH collects revenue of around Ksh4.5 billion in a year. From our own investigation, this could even be more, but the financial systems are weak and people take advantage. Some members said: “You can go to KNH and if you have a bill of Ksh1 million, you just need to talk to the accountants and you pay Ksh100,000! You leave with your patient.” Others said: “You can use the theater and leave without paying, provided you have seen the doctors.” The inadequate finances have caused medical equipments to breakdown at the hospital with no replacement. Some have become obsolete. In fact, up to 45 per cent of hospitals machinery and equipment does not function. The Committee recommends that the hospital, the Ministry of Health and the National Treasury costs those items and provide adequate resources for replacement. Looking at the way KNH has been managed, there are many problems. Last The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}